Crossword Genius

Hypocrite playing harp is extremely effeminate (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

pharisee

'hypocrite' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)

'playing harp is extremely effeminate' is the wordplay.
'playing' indicates anagramming the letters.
'extremely' suggests removing the centre (only the extremes of the word are used).
'effeminate' with its middle removed is 'ee'.
'harp' with letters rearranged gives 'phar'.
'phar'+'is'+'ee'='PHARISEE'

(Other definitions for pharisee that I've seen before include "Ancient Jewish sectarian" , "Strict observer" , "(Gospel) hypocrite" , "Member of ancient Jewish sect; Heap, sire (anag.)" , "Air sheep (anag.)" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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